When children display ‘faddy / picky’ eating habits, we can easily become very concerned
for their welfare. We know that eating problems in pre-school children can be extremely
common. We also know that a vast majority of children are thriving and will outgrow
their feeding problem with no long-term ill-effects.

Even though we know that most children will outgrow their ‘faddy / picky’ eating
habits, it is still very worrying at the time for a parent or carer.

We would recommend that you contact your local Health Visitor (pre-school age), School
Nurse (school age) and / or your GP to discuss your worries.

These health professionals are likely to give consideration to your child’s age,
height and weight and general health. They may also ask questions so that they can
get a full history of your worries, including:

History of presenting problem

Account of a typical meal

Parent / Carer’s expectations and attitudes towards food

Dietary history

Developmental history

Medical history

Family and social history

Examination

Food diary

This information will help to identify whether they can offer advice and support
to your family. This would include using behavioural techniques to help promote
positive eating habits. They may feel after making an assessment that they need
to get in contact with the Community Paediatrician or possibly ask for a consultation
from the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service’s Early Intervention and Prevention
Team.

If, following the assessment, the GP, School Nurse or Health Visitor feels that the
child’s eating difficulties appear to be behavioural, they may give specific tasks
for parents to try in order to encourage eating, these may include:

Taking a more relaxed approach, disengage from the power struggle

Consider the child’s hunger level

Serve small portions

Praise good eating habits

Model good eating habits - your Health Visitor or School Nurse will have access to
many more useful tips and ideas to try